Bakersfield Museum of Art receives artworks from AT&T

Company donates $500,000 in artwork to community organizations across the state

AT&T California has donated artwork from its collection to nonprofit organizations across California, including the Bakersfield Museum of Art, in celebration of California Arts Day which was October 3.  The works were presented to the Museum in a ceremony November 18.

AT&T has a long history of community involvement and philanthropic contributions, which includes support for the arts.  This year, the company is donating select paintings, sculptures and other artwork from its collection to community partners and non-profit organizations across California.

"Up close and personal, art communicates and demonstrates how a culture defines and expresses itself, and almost always with intense passion and skill," said Ken McNeely, President, AT&T California.  "As a company in the business of communication, it's that passion, combined with skill and talent that we respect so much in the artist and their craft.  We want to make sure that these wonderful works of art from our collection are available for the community to experience, discuss, and enjoy. We're proud to honor California Arts Day and help celebrate creative expression and diversity in our communities."

Donated works of art include contemporary pieces from such well known artists as Elmer Bischoff, Kikuo Saito, Richard Serra, Terry Adkins and Charles Arnoldi.

California organizations receiving art donations from AT&T's collection include:

-Bakersfield Museum of Art
-Billy De Frank LGBT Community Center, San Jose
-Center for Accessible Technology, Berkeley
-CHARO, Los Angeles
-Fresno Art Museum
-Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce
-Kimochi, Inc., San Francisco
-Los Angeles Urban League
-Monterey County NAACP
-Museum of the African Diaspora, San Francisco
-San Diego LGBT Community Center
-San Francisco LGBT Community Center
-World Institute on Disability, Oakland

Two important works by acclaimed contemporary artists Barbara Rogers and Jennifer Bartlett have already been presented to the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento.